Animal of the year tales: Watermelon-striped piglets
You eat, I will guard you
Wild boar Metssiga Sus scrofa
For most of Estonia’s wild boar the farrowing period is ending. Sows with a couple of weeks old piglets again join the herd. It is easier to keep an eye on the piglets and to protect them from predators collectively.
The little piglets are striped like watermelons. This is their camouflage colouring. It helps them to be less visible in withered grass and new growth.
Should a sow be killed, relatives or other members of the herd will take care of her offspring.
Young pigs also return to the herd. After some wrangling a hierarchy is set up again. The oldest and most experienced sow leads the group firmly. They stand up jointly against all threats – the aim being to protect the piglets.
If a human should get close to a newly recreated herd all the sows will warn him off. But actually there is no danger. Because the piglets are unable to escape quickly, the whole herd withdraws slowly. They should not be disturbed. If a piglet gets left behind, it will inevitably die. A sensible way to behave is to stay in place and let one’s location be known by calmly talking.
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